(March 7, 2011)--The UTSA Honors College, UTSA Women's History Month Organizing Committee and the UTSA Institute for Law and Public Affairs will present a screening of the documentary "Quest for Honor" at 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 8 in the Main Building Auditorium (0.106) on the UTSA Main Campus. Free and open to the public, the showing will be followed by a discussion with filmmakerMary Ann Smothers Bruni.

"Quest for Honor" exposes the alarming rise in "honor killings" in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. Honor killing is the heinous act of men killing daughters, sisters and wives who threaten "family honor." Local Police Chief Abdullah states his frustration on camera that no one is ever convicted. Interviews with victims of attempted honor killings, their perpetrators, the police, government officials and community leaders coupled with the filmed investigations of these killings provide insight into the shocking practice.

The film was written, produced and directed by Mary Ann Smothers Bruni, a first-time filmmaker when "Quest for Honor" made its world premiere at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. Bruni first entered Iraq in April 1991 by walking up a mountain in Turkey and into Iraq, joining more than two million Kurds fleeing from Saddam's gunships. That led to three years in Iraqi Kurdistan and her book and exhibition "Journey through Kurdistan." She also has been featured in The Washington Post, World View and the International Herald-Tribune.

Bruni's earlier writings and photographs center on Texas-Mexican folk arts -- drama, music and poetry -- as seen through the lens of her studies of Medieval and Latin American literature at Mexico City College (now University of the Americas) and as a graduate student at the University of Madrid.

The background for her books and exhibitions is archived at the prestigious Benson Latin American Collection at the University of Texas at Austin Library. Her awards for that work include a "lazo de dama" medal from the Order of Isabel la Catolica, awarded by Juan Carlos, King of Spain. Bruni's books include "Journey through Kurdistan," "Viva la Virgen de Guadalupe," "Rosita's Christmas Wish" and "Los Pastores." Her photographs have been shown in London, Bhutan, Canada and many museums and galleries in the United States.

This high school student exhibit features images, videos, interviews and writings that the students learned about while participating in "The Will to Adorn: African American Dress and the Aesthetics of Identity."
Institute of Texan Cultures, Hemisfair Campus

This ceremony honors graduates from the College of Business, College of Engineering, the College of Public Policy and College of Sciences. U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro will deliver the keynote address.
Alamodome. 100 Montana St., Downtown San Antonio

Graduates from the College of Architecture, Construction and Planning, College of Education and Human Development, College of Liberal and Fine Arts, and University College will hear from Mayor Ron Nirenberg.
Alamodome. 100 Montana St., Downtown San Antonio

President Taylor Eighmy invites UTSA faculty and staff to Tacos With Taylor. Take this opportunity to introduce yourself to Dr. Eighmy at any one of these casual meet and greets. Breakfast tacos will be served while supplies last.
Institute of Texan Cultures, Hemisfair Campus

Join the UTSA Small Business Development Center for a day of learning, skill-building, and professional development that will kick-start your small business ambitions in 2018.
Institute of Texan Cultures, Hemisfair Campus

A five-day bus tour of civil rights movement landmarks, studying leadership through the lens of social justice history. Student participants deliver prepared reflections on their learning and application goals. All UTSA community members welcome.
University Center, Denman Room (UC 2.01.28), Main Campus

UTSA's Mission

The University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.

UTSA's Vision

To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.

UTSA's Core Values

We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.